"A very small degree of betrayal is sufficient to cause the death of trust."
Dario stormed into their house, nerves jumping as he realized that there was nobody anywhere.
The moment he drove the car to the garage, he was already in fear as to why no one was outside.
Where were the guards? Why weren't they at their posts?
The worst started to come into his mind as he ran inside, screaming for Madie as he did so, his eyes furiously searching for him.
"Madie!" he screamed for her, opening the doors at the first floor of the safe house to find her. Nothing was missing, nothing was messed up and it didn't look like anyone barged it. Their luggage was still there untouched where it was before he left. "Baby!"
The thought of Ivan getting to Madie and hurting her made him catch his breath. He couldn't take it.
He made it to the second floor when he heard Adon's car in the driveway. They were
"If anything ever happened to you... I wouldn't know what to do. I'd be lost. My heart would be gone together with you."Dario stood staring as he watched the people in black come and go. It was a big ceremony, proper for a man who handled a big organization.It was his father's funeral."My condolences." one old man told him, shaking his hand as Dario stood by the door to welcome the people. More followed him, some strangers and some familiar.To be honest, he wanted to be anywhere than here.He sighed, eyes looking everywhere to find someone who can replace him. Anyone.'Right.' he thought. He was the heir. He was the one who'll take care of everything his father left. The next boss.The funeral passed and most of the people were gone before the sunset. One by one, they left with a nod to him. The only family member who was there for th
"I'd rather drain every vein in my body than to watch you cry painful tears. I'd spare you tears for the rest of your life if I could. I'd take your pain and trauma away. I'd make you forget so you can be happy once more.""What's wrong?" Madie asked, head tilted to the side as she stared at Neil. Why was he standing by the door like that?What if someone was coming in and he was blocking the way?She was about to ask him again when she saw the foot by the door. Huh?Her confusion worsened as she stared, talking a few steps forward to see if someone left a mannequin by the women's comfort room.But of course not, this wasn't a department store. This was an airport, why would a mannequin be here?It felt like her heart stopped when she reached the middle part of the body that was lying down on the floor.Blood.
"If giving my everything is what it takes, I won't hesitate. Not even for a second. That's what it means to have something you'd give your life to save."Ivan's thoughts stopped, as if the words that came from his Father's mouth was far-fetched, almost unimaginable.He couldn't help but laugh. Really, when it comes to being an asshole, he couldn't deny that he got that from his father.Looking down on the child that was in front of him, he couldn't help but wonder how undeniably pretty she was. Fair skin, blonde hair, green eyes."What's her name?" he asked, eyes staring deeply at the trembling child standing in front of him. He meant the question for his father who was smoking a cigar just by his leather couch, but the little thing answered him instead."M-Madeline, S-Sir." the eight-year-old answered, avoiding his eyes as much as she could. She answered her ques
"Baby, you're the reason I live and the reason that I die. You're the reason that I smile yet break down and cry. You're the reason that I keep going and the reason why I fall. Because without you in my life, I'm nothing at all."The screams and squeals of excitement flooded in Madeline's ears as she looked around. Everyone had someone with them.Some were having their lunch in some food stalls, and some were lining up in line for the rides.The screams were from the people who were riding the roller coaster, some on towers and some on fast-spinning carousels. She could also smell the fragrance of delicious food in the air, as well as the sweet smell of desserts that were given out to the kids, and adults too.On her right, she could see the swans on the water with people aboard. They were taking pictures with smiles on their faces, together with their kids and other family.Madie couldn't help bu
"Call me Daddy, baby.""My name is Madeline, but you can call me Madie!""I know, no need to tell me.""But I wanted you to know my name! How about you? What's your name, mister?""Mister?""Yeah. You look old.""Do I?""Yeah! You look so old you could be my daddy!""You don't know what you're wishing for,Madie.""Wishing for? It's not my birthday, why would I wish for something?""Silly girl. With eyes like that, you looked like you're begging me to bend you over.""But-but why?""Because that's what daddy's do to naughty little girls.""Daddy?""Yes. Daddy.""Are you-are you my daddy?""I can be.""But-but...""Do you want me to be your daddy?""But-will I have a Mommy, too?""No, baby. Daddy is all you need.”
"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are grey. You'll never know dear, how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away.""Madeline! I told you not to eat all of the cookies on the jar!"Light yet loud footsteps sounded in the corridor. Blonde hair flowing in the wind, and a soft giggle sounding every now and then."Madeline! Madie!"'Sister Mary Eunice! Oh no!'The little girl, who was frantic from the call, ran and ran through the stairs of the orphanage, looking for a place to hide. It was like they were playing hide and seek all of a sudden!Madie giggled while running, thinking that it was so much fun. She never thought eating cookies from the pretty jar would lead to playing.She heard Sister Mary Eunice from her back and saw her running after me. She looked mad. And scary, too.Madie stopped for a while, contemplating whether she shou
"Rest easy, baby. Time will come. Daddy will come and find you. 'Til then, be a good girl for me and behave.""See? This is why I forbid you to go out in the rain, Madie." Sister Mary Eunice said, "You always get sick so easily."Madeline frowned, for she does not get sick easily. She just gets sneezes and coughs but that's all. She wasnotsick.'Yeah, sure. Keep telling yourself that, Madie.'She shook her head, but that was bad because it caused her headache to worsen. Stupid head.Sister Mary Eunice was wiping her forehead as she lectured the distracted girl, saying that she shouldn't have been playing alone in the rain. But she wasn't playing alone. Sister was supposed to be with her and chase her until she tagged me. That was the rule of Tag.But no.Nooo.She chose to stay here in the orphanage because the other Sisters weren't here, a
"Never talk to strangers. You know how strangers are. They are dangerous and bad. You hear me, baby?"Madeline was supposed to deliver a mail today. Sister Agatha, one of the sisters in the orphanage, wanted her to mail an important letter to someone. It was one of her chores.She didn't read who it was for. It was boring.'Why couldn't they just use a phone or an email? That's more convenient than writing mails. But meh. It's fine.'Her thoughts ran wild in her head. She gets to explore around town to and from the post office. She was like an explorer!Madie hopped on the steps of the road, passing the park on the way. She remembered what happened the other day ago. Like, four days ago. She remembers the four men, too. And their toys. She didn't know what it was, and she didn't ask anyone else. Not even Sister Mary Eunice. Ellie didn't know what is was.What kind of toy makes a 'bang' sound?
"Baby, you're the reason I live and the reason that I die. You're the reason that I smile yet break down and cry. You're the reason that I keep going and the reason why I fall. Because without you in my life, I'm nothing at all."The screams and squeals of excitement flooded in Madeline's ears as she looked around. Everyone had someone with them.Some were having their lunch in some food stalls, and some were lining up in line for the rides.The screams were from the people who were riding the roller coaster, some on towers and some on fast-spinning carousels. She could also smell the fragrance of delicious food in the air, as well as the sweet smell of desserts that were given out to the kids, and adults too.On her right, she could see the swans on the water with people aboard. They were taking pictures with smiles on their faces, together with their kids and other family.Madie couldn't help bu
"If giving my everything is what it takes, I won't hesitate. Not even for a second. That's what it means to have something you'd give your life to save."Ivan's thoughts stopped, as if the words that came from his Father's mouth was far-fetched, almost unimaginable.He couldn't help but laugh. Really, when it comes to being an asshole, he couldn't deny that he got that from his father.Looking down on the child that was in front of him, he couldn't help but wonder how undeniably pretty she was. Fair skin, blonde hair, green eyes."What's her name?" he asked, eyes staring deeply at the trembling child standing in front of him. He meant the question for his father who was smoking a cigar just by his leather couch, but the little thing answered him instead."M-Madeline, S-Sir." the eight-year-old answered, avoiding his eyes as much as she could. She answered her ques
"I'd rather drain every vein in my body than to watch you cry painful tears. I'd spare you tears for the rest of your life if I could. I'd take your pain and trauma away. I'd make you forget so you can be happy once more.""What's wrong?" Madie asked, head tilted to the side as she stared at Neil. Why was he standing by the door like that?What if someone was coming in and he was blocking the way?She was about to ask him again when she saw the foot by the door. Huh?Her confusion worsened as she stared, talking a few steps forward to see if someone left a mannequin by the women's comfort room.But of course not, this wasn't a department store. This was an airport, why would a mannequin be here?It felt like her heart stopped when she reached the middle part of the body that was lying down on the floor.Blood.
"If anything ever happened to you... I wouldn't know what to do. I'd be lost. My heart would be gone together with you."Dario stood staring as he watched the people in black come and go. It was a big ceremony, proper for a man who handled a big organization.It was his father's funeral."My condolences." one old man told him, shaking his hand as Dario stood by the door to welcome the people. More followed him, some strangers and some familiar.To be honest, he wanted to be anywhere than here.He sighed, eyes looking everywhere to find someone who can replace him. Anyone.'Right.' he thought. He was the heir. He was the one who'll take care of everything his father left. The next boss.The funeral passed and most of the people were gone before the sunset. One by one, they left with a nod to him. The only family member who was there for th
"A very small degree of betrayal is sufficient to cause the death of trust."Dario stormed into their house, nerves jumping as he realized that there was nobody anywhere.The moment he drove the car to the garage, he was already in fear as to why no one was outside.Where were the guards? Why weren't they at their posts?The worst started to come into his mind as he ran inside, screaming for Madie as he did so, his eyes furiously searching for him."Madie!" he screamed for her, opening the doors at the first floor of the safe house to find her. Nothing was missing, nothing was messed up and it didn't look like anyone barged it. Their luggage was still there untouched where it was before he left. "Baby!"The thought of Ivan getting to Madie and hurting her made him catch his breath. He couldn't take it.He made it to the second floor when he heard Adon's car in the driveway. They were
"Truth hurts. Doubt ruins. Lie destroys.""What is it?" Dario asked as soon as Eliana picked up the call."D..." she spoke, her voice coming in quiet yet clear via phone. "I-I know it's not the best time, and I know it's late but-""What's the matter, Eli?" he asked, looking back at his baby girl's sleeping form. He had to be quiet or else he'd wake her."Madeline... the first time I came to visit, the first time you introduced her, and I heard her name- it seemed familiar, like I heard it before."Dario's brows furrowed at her words. He didn't understand.How could Eliana know who Madeline was when she was seven?"And when Neil called me to tell me about the ambush at the port... it confirmed everything I was thinking of. He told me about Manuel."He remembered Neil telling him that they did in fact talk, Eliana and him.
"See, betrayal... you know that it will never come from your enemies.""You gonna go now?" Madie asked as she watched her Daddy leave some of his things by the passenger seat of his car, loading them and starting the car before walking over to her and cuddling."Yeah, baby. Daddy needs to go now." he answered as he left a small peck on her forehead.They were in each other's arms, with Dario's wrapped around her tiny waist and moving slightly side to side, causing them to sway.They were in their own magical world."And-and we'll go to ride the airplane later?" she asked again, still looking up to him. Her Daddy was tall, and she had to crane her neck very much to see him properly.She forgot to ask if they had giant gene in their family.Dario chuckled before nodding at her question. "Yeah, baby. And then we'll go to Hawaii, and then we'll have a house near the beach, and then we can swim and pla
"I swear I couldn't love you more than I do right now, and yet I know I will tomorrow.""Shh..." Dario whispered into Madie's ears as his hands did its work. "I got you, baby. Daddy's got you."His kisses deepened on her lips, more breath taking than ever.They were long gone the cool air outside, the warmth of their room enveloping them as their bodies stayed together.Carrying her in his arms was easy and light, as it ever was. Their lips and bodies stayed interlocked as he walked them both inside and to their room, easily avoiding the guards in their post just by the hallway.They knew not to look, but if they did, they he'd have to gauge their eyes out.Minutes in their room and Dario had his shirt off, whispering sweet words to Madeline as he took hers off her body. Slowly, sweetly, gently.Each inch of clothing he took off her body, he replaced with a gentle kiss. His lips touched her body
"I love you more than I have ever found a way to say to you.""Are you going to be okay?" Eliana asked Dario who was seated beside her.He had his laptop by him, working.His baby girl was running around being chased by Chase, Eliana's pet hound that she brought with her when she came. Madie had both Ellie and a ball in her hands, tossing the ball playing fetch with the giddy hound.Dario was glad that the hound brought happiness to her.Trees surrounded the safe house; the only water source was the fountain where the Finnish Hound was drinking from. It was cozy, and the weather was warm. They were far from the city, far from danger. The fresh breeze and the shade from the trees made it cool even with the sun's heat.The sunshine was defeated by the rays of smile that Madie gave them whenever she would wave over.It wasn't easy maintaining the good ambiance of the place. Madie repeatedly a